GERMAN OFFENSIVE INTENSIFIED.

Taihape Daily Times, 29 April 1918, Page 4

GERMAN OFFENSIVE INTENSIFIED.

The offensive rather unobtrusively commenced by the Germans at the beginning of last week, developed before the end of the week into one'of the most powerful efforts the enemy has yet made. Hindenburg's chief 'attention is still given to the Ypres and the Amiens salients; he evidently still harbours the thought that he can isolate the British northern flank, destroy it, and get free way to the Channel ports. If his progress is ho faster than that recorded by cable on Saturday his armies will barely have any existence at all when the sea is reached. It was reported that the enemy had captured Mont Kemmel, but the High Commissioner's report advised that a footing had been gained. It is certain that if Kemmel is captured it will be because the troops were thrown in wave after wave entirely regardless of all loss. The Germans did similarly at Bretonncux, but they were driven out by the Australians In a daring night attack, and it is probable the Allies will concentrate to regain Kemmel. The Ypres salient is endangered -f Kemmel is held, and only attackers and attacked know the nature of the disaster that would result from a compulsory abandonment of the salient. Kemmel is probably lost, but as the B'ritish hang firmly to their ground. no better evidence of their confidence in being able to hold the enemy can be forthcoming. Hindenburg's intentions have now been wholly discovered and we may be sure that the utmost is being done by Britain, France and Belgium to frustrate them. W 7 e are not prepared to learn that German armies, that are now fighting on a line facing north-west., will make any appreciable advance on this new front. If the Allies cannot hold the Germans then they must either forsake Ypres cr suffer an early loss of the northern flank forces. The risks are too great to take, therefore 1 the Germans, will bo 'held no matter what the cost cf holding may be.